i have heard that Zakat cannot be given to non muslims. Any references over here ? Also, are there references on preference to give zakat to your community first ? This is for people who send money to Pakistan for Zakat.
In addition, i know that 2.5% zakat is due on cash and a few other details but how did we arrive to that number ?
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Zakat can only be given to muslims.
You should start with the people closest to you when giving out zakat
2.5% is what islam tells us.
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Peace heart beat,
In addition to TLK’s remarks, Zakat is only be given to Muslims as mentioned in Holy Qur’an Chapter 9 Verse 60. For other details plz refer to this thread http://www.paklinks.com/gs/religion-and-scripture/515708-zakat-and-the-method-of-its-calculation.html.
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
i initially thought that giving ‘charity’ to non muslims would be forbidden but after giving it more thought zakat which is obligatory to us can only be given to muslims. however, any additional charity can be given to non muslims which is what i understand.
there are a lot of poor minorities in pakistan and i don’t think if ‘helping the needy’ should be limited based on your religion.
how do we derive to 2.5% ?
can you help me understand the logic (if any) behind why is zakat only limited to muslims ?
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
thanks for the link and the detailed explanation. here is the translation that i found for Chapter9 Verse 60 online:
The Quranic Arabic Corpus - Translation
if we look at the translation from Sahih International:
“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
can you highlight the part which instructs us that zakat should not be given to non muslims ? i think it is hidden somewhere in here “for bringing hearts together [for Islam]” but i do not fully understand the translation.
in your other post from the link you provided, you have mentioned this:
“It is preferred for Zakat to be paid first to relatives only if they fall within one of the eight categories mentioned above, then to the people of the same village, city or country and then people of other countries.”
can you explain how did you come to this conclusion ?
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Just a general comment, not towards any specific person:
I love it when people come with questions on some basic rules of religion online and think they have much better understanding than those who have thought of it over hundreds of years.
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Now to the question:
1- 2.5% is minimum advised based on the prior practice. One can give as much as one likes.
2- Zakaat concept is older than the Prophet SAW time.
3- It even exists in Christianity. Tithing, Luke 18:12.
4- Zakaat is more than just charity. It is among one of the of Islamic essentials and requirements. 4th one.
5- Zakaat is obligated to muslims well off people and is considered a right of poor Muslims.
6- It is a good practice to give poor and needy and help and support them by all means, regardless of their religions. And this should be done outside the Zakaat obligation.
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Zakaat can ONLY be given to Muslims. however, Sadaqa can be given to anyone.
zakaat is a mandatory payment you make at certain level of wealth and it's set at 2.5% flat while Sadaqa is optional and it can be given at any level of wealth...even a poor person who can affor to give a penny can do so and it will be caounted as sadaqa...there is a Hadees that even smiling at another person is a sadaqa!
Re: Zakat to Non Muslims
Peace heart beat,
I’ll try to explain at best of my understanding. However, for correct information/method about Zakat, you may consult with qualified Scholar/Aalim.
Zakat duty is imposed by Almighty Allah, means a decision, decree and division is ordained by Him. The duty was imposed to His Messenger 
, than passed from Him to His Companions r.a. and so on like a practice. This verse explain who are entitle for the Zakat and not about giving to non-muslim or not. To understand Almighty Allah’s order (verse) we seek guidance from Hadith i.e. from the Sunnah of the Prophet Both Quran and Hadith go hands-to-hands and without any of one it is difficult to understand our religion. Therefore for further explanation, we seek guidance from Hadith.
This conclusion is not mine nor i’m a scholar or else. I’m a student and still learning about my religion. This conclusion is extracted from the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad how/what He did when Almighty Allah ordered for Zakat. About the bold part, there are many many narrations in Hadith Books, but i’ll quote one as a reference in which its narrated that the Zakat may be given to those amongst us.
Book ‘Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)’ of Sahih Bukhari Hadith No. 537
**Narrated Ibn Abbas: When Allah’s Apostle sent Muadh to Yemen, He said (to him), “Yo are going to people of a (Divine) Book. First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone) and when they come to know Allah, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers in every day and night; and if they start offering these prayers, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, the Zakat. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them; and if they obey you in that, take Zakat from them and avoid (don’t take) the best property of the people as Zakat.” **
It is also mentioned in the Book “General Behaviour of Sahih Muslim” that Prophet Muhammad distribute the Zakat amongst you i.e. amongst poor muslims by taking from rich Muslims.
Hope it’ll be helpful to u.